Folding table



W. A. SNYDER Aug. 6 1935.-

FOLDING TABLE Filed Dec. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l g- 6, 1935. I w. A. SNYDER 2,010,278

FOLDING TABLE Filed Dec. 18, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 1 jjf jo. z 7/) I 1 :/E 7-0/, 7/4407/7 7 J VXDE/E 5 W iffy- Patented Aug. 6, 1935 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 2,010,278 I FOLDING TABLE v William A. Snyder, Los Angeles, Calif.

. Application December 18,1933, Serial No. 702,930

so a ims. (01. 311-96) My invention relates to a folding tableand has for its principal objects, to generally improve upon and simplify the construction of the existing forms of folding tables, to provide a table having a folding top that may be manipulatedsoas to materially increase or decrease its size and further, to provide a table of the character referred to that may be conveniently folded into compact form so as to occupy comparatively little space when closed and packed for storage or transportation. I

Further objects of my invention are, to provide a folding table that is especially designed for use as a camp table or as a card or tea table, further, to provide a folding table having an auxiliary frame that is removably positioned on the table top and utilized for the support of various articles that are generally used in the service of meals'and further, to'provide a foldingtable with folding braces between the legs and between the tabletop and legs so asto provide a strong and substantial structure when the table is open for use.

With' the foregoing and other objects in View my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of the-table open for use.

Fig. 2 isa plan view of the table topas the same appears when foldedinto its smallest compass.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the tabletop as the same appears when fully open. I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 44 of Fig. l and showing the auxiliary supporting frame that is removably mounted on the central portion of the table top. s I

Fig. 5 is an enlargedcrosssection taken onthe line 55 of'Fig.4. I a

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. land showingthe hinged table top sections folded into position on top of the sliding table top sections.

Fig. 7 is a crosssection'taken on the line 'l-'l of Fig. 6. s Fig. 8 is a cross section takenonthe line 8-8 ofFig. 6. g s I Fig. 9'is an enlarged detail elevational view showing the connectionsbetween thetwo frames of the table, also the connections between the table legs and said frames.

Fig. 10'is anenlarged elevational'view of'the table;

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, it, I G designate identical rectangular frames preferably formed of wood and the inner end rails II. of these frames are connected by a hinge or hinges I2 arranged so as to permit the frames I0 to swing downwardly into position immediately adjacent to each other.

Connected byhinges I3 to the ends of the inner end rails II, are the upper ends of inclined legs I4 and the lower portions of each pair of legs are connected by crossed braces I5.

The upper portions of the two legs on each side of the table are connected by folding braces IS, the inner ends of which are pivotally connected to each other and one brace of each pair is'extended a short distance beyond the pivot point and provided with an outward projecting lip I'l that overlies the opposite brace when the braces are in open position, thereby firmly holding said braces in horizontal alignment with the legs open.

Secured to the underside of the frames Iii, adjacent to their outer ends, are brackets I 8, to whichare pivotally connected the upper ends of braces I9 and the lower end portions of these braces are curved slightly and said curved ends are pivotally connected to the parallel legs of an inverted U-shaped brace s The lower ends of the legs of each brace are pivotally connected to the table legs I4.

When the table is open, the folding braces I9 and ZOprovide firm and substantial supports betwee'nthe lower portions of the legs I4 and the outer ends of frames I0.

Mounted for transverse sliding movement upon each frame I6, is a rectangular panel 2| each panel being slightly larger than the underlying frame and the inner ends of these panels abut each other on a line between the inner end rails II. I

Secured to the underside of each panel 2I, is a pair of transversely disposed runners 22 of inverted U-shape in cross section and each runner overlies a transversely disposed rail 23, the ends of which are secured to the inner faces of the side rails of the frames II Mounted in each rail 23 are two or more antifriction members 24, either rollers or ball bearings and which provide rolling supports for the runners 22 during their movement transversely of the frames. I

The rails on one side of each frame I!) are provided with openings 25, to permit the runners 22 to move when the table top sections 2| are moved laterally on the frames to increase the size of the table top.

Secured to the sides of each runner 22 at the end opposite from the end that is positioned adjacent to the opening 25, through which the runner operates, is a U-shaped strap 28 that passes beneath the corresponding rail 23 and which strap at all times maintains the corresponding sliding table top section 2! in proper position upon the correspondin frame l0.

Connected by hinges 27 to one of the side edges of each panel or table top section 2|, is a table top section 28 that is identical in size with its companion panel 2i, and under normal conditions or when the table top is folded into its smallest compass, the sections or panels 28 overlie the sections or panels 25, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. 1

The hinges 2'1, that connect the panels 2! and 28 are located on the opposite side of the table from the side rails of frames Ill that are provided with the openings 25 for the accommodation of the runners 22.

For the support of various articles used during the serving of meals I have provided an auxiliary frame that is removably positioned on the central portion of the table top when the same is open and this frame comprises two pairs of legs 29, the upper ends of the members of each pair being connected by a hinge 30 so that said legs may be folded toward and away from each other and the lower end of one leg of each pair carries a spring clip 3| that is adapted to engage over the edge of the table top section or panel on which the auxiliary frame rests.

Connecting the legs on one side of the auxiliary frame with the legs on the other side, are rails 32 and connected by hinges 33 to the rails that connect one pair of the legs, are panels 34 that provide convenient support for various small dishes and articles used by persons seated around the table.

Secured to the underside of each panel 34, adjacent to its free end, is a pair of transversely disposed cleats 35, which when the frame is properly set up for use, engage on opposite sides of the rails 32 opposite the rails to which the panels are hinged (see Figs. 4 and 5).

The various parts of the table when open for use, occupy the positions as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the folded braces l6 maintaining the legs firmly in open position with braces l9 and 20 providing firm and substantial supports between the legs and the ends of the frames Ill.

When it is desired to use the table top in its smallest compass, the panels 28 are folded over onto the top of panels 2|, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6 and with the panels 2! positioned above and wholly covering the frames I0.

When it is desired to increase or double the size of the table top, the panels 2i carrying the panels 28, are moved transversely upon the frames H], during which movement the runners 22 ride upon the anti-friction members 24 and said runners pass through the openings 25 in the rails on one side of the table.

Thus, the edges of panels 2| that are hinged to panels 28, are brought into position on a medial line lengthwise of the frames Ill and when so positioned the upper panels 28 are engaged and swung upwardly and over so as to occupy the same horizontal plane with the panels 2|, with the result that the area or size of the table top is doubled.

Dotted lines in Fig. 6 show the positions of the panels 2| and 28 and the runners 22 when the table top is open to its greatest compass.

To collapse the table or to fold it into relatively small compass for storage or transportation, panels 2i are moved into position directly above the frames Ill with the panels 23 folded onto said panels 2| and after the pivoted ends of the braces it are swung upward and the pivoted ends of the braces l9 and 20 are swung inward, the frames Ni may be swung downward against the legs Hi and said legs then folded into positions immediately adjacent to each other so that the entire structure is compactly folded so as to occupy comparatively little space while not in use.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a folding table that is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive of manufacture and very efiective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

Although I have shown my invention embodied in a folding table, the construction involving the mounting of a panel for transverse sliding movement on a frame may be advantageously employed in structures other than folding tables, for instance, in beds, davenports, couches and the like.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved folding table may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, a table top section mounted for transverse sliding movement upon each frame and a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned table top section.

2. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, foldinglegs for supporting said frames, a table top section mounted for transverse sliding movement on each frame and a table top section hinged to one side of each first mentioned table top section.

3. In a. folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, a table top section positioned on top of each frame, transversel; disposed sliding connections between each table top section and the underlying frame, a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned table top section and folding legs hinged to the inner ends of said frames.

4. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, a table top section'positioned on top of each frame, transversely disposed sliding connections between each table top section and the underlying frame, a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned tabletop section, folding legs hinged to the inner ends of said frames, folding braces between said legs and folding braces between said legs and frames.

5. In a folding table, a supporting structure comprising a pair of frames arranged end to end, hinges connecting the inner ends of said frames, a pair of table top sections arranged for transverse sliding movement on said hinged frames and a table top section hinged to one of the side edges of each first mentioned table top section.

6. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, rails transversely arranged in each frame, runners mounted for sliding movement on said rails, table top sections secured to said runners and arranged above said frames and a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned table top section.

'7. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, rails transversely arranged in each frame, runners mounted for Sliding movement on said rails, table top sections secured to said runners and arranged above said frames, a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned table top section, folding legs hinged to the inner ends of said frames for supporting the same, folding braces hinged to the lower portions of said legs and folding braces hinged at their upper ends to the outer ends of said frames and at their lower ends to the upper ends of the folding braces that are hinged to the lower portions of said legs.

8. In a folding table, a pair of frames hinged to each other at their inner ends, rails transversely arranged in each frame, runners mounted for sliding movement on said rails, table top sections secured to said runners and arranged above said frames, a table top section hinged to one edge of each first mentioned table top section, folding legs hinged to the inner ends of said frames for supporting the same, folding braces connecting the upper portions of the members of each pair of legs at the sides of the table, cross braces secured to the lower portions of said legs, folding braces secured to the lower portions of the legs and folding braces hinged at their upper ends to the outer ends of said frames and at their lower ends to the upper portions of the folding braces that are hinged to the lower portions of said legs.

WILLIAM A. SNYDER. 

